Self-contained electrical radiator unit



H. J- WILLIAMS, JR

Jan. 19, 1965 SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL RADIATOR UNIT Filed Jan. 28, 1965 in .lli

INVENTOR Hzmw J WILLIAMS WM 1* PM ATTOtA/Elf United States Patent 3,166,666 SELF-CONTAINED ELECTRICAL RADIATOR UNlli Herald .1. Williams, In, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Aqua-Lectrie, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed Jan. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 254,232 8 Claims. (Cl. 219-341) This invention relates to space heating apparatus and more particularly relates to a self-contained electric hydronic heating unit.

The advantages obtained in utilizing hot water or some other liquid for applying heat in a radiator or baseboard heating unit have been well known inthe heating industry. However, due to the need to provide for expansion of the liquid, substantial problems have been encountered in producing compact radiators or baseboard units.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved electric hydronic heating unit of simple and inexpensive construction and operation.

' Another object of my invention is to provide a novel self-contained electric hydronic heating unit in a baseboard type construction and which in a novel manner provides for expansion of the liquid in the unit.

A further object of my invention is the provision of an improved and novel electric hydronic heating unit which, once assembled, may be stored, shipped, installed, connected to a source of electric power and operated without further adjustment except to bleed off excessive air during the start up, and which is entirely self-contained without appendages and without being connected to other heating or supply equipment.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the invention in a reduced scale;

FIG. 2 is a detail section view of the invention taken approximately at 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section view taken approximately at 33 in FIG. 2 with portions broken away;

FIG. 4 is a detail sectionview taken approximately at 44 in FIG. 3, and a 5 FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the electrical apparatus.

One form of the invention is shown in the drawings and is described herein. a

The space heating unit is indicated in general by numeral and it will be noted that the space heating unit comprises an elongate housing 11 which may be made up in a plurality of individual sections 11a, 11b and 11c which are alfixedly joined together and which are in fluid communication with each other. It will be particularly noted that the housing 11 is substantially uniformly shaped all along the length thereof, and as will'be seen in FIG. 2, the housing 11 has front and rear walls 12 and 13, a top 14, bottom 15 and opposite ends 16 and 17. The entire hous. ing is sealed and contains a quantity of liquid L which fills the heating chamber portion 18 of the hollow interior of the housing and partly fills the expansion chamber 19 disposed adjacent the end' 17 of the housing. A gas such as air fills the space 19a above the level L of the liquid in the expansion chamber 19. The housing 11 is provided An electric heating element 22 is mounted in the end wall 16 of the housing and extends all along the length of the heating chamber 13 adjacent the bottom 15. The heating element 22 is threadably secured in the end wall 16. The electrical power is supplied to the electric heating element from the exposed end 22a thereof which is disposed exteriorly of the housing and the power is supplied through conductors 23.

A temperature-sensing element 24- is also threadably mounted in the end wall 16 of the housing and produces an indication in response to excessive temperatures in the heating chamber 18 for operating a high temperature cut off switch apparatus 25 to open the switch 254: in the power circuit for the heating element.

Furthermore, a fusible element 26 is mounted in a suitable fitting 27 in the endwall 16 of the housing to melt and release the fiuid in the housing in the event that other safety measures such as the temperature-sensing element 24 and high temperature cut off element 25 might fail to .function. The fitting 27 is connected to a short length of conduit 28 for discharging water in the event the fusible element 26 is disintegrated, under high temperatures.

It is to be particularly noted that the expansion chamber 19 is confined wholly within the substantially uniformly shaped housing 11. Fluid communication is provided between the expansion chamber 19 and heating chamber 18, but necessarily follows a rather tortuous path. A di- Vider wall 23 extends between the front and rear wall 12 and 13 of the housing and is formed integrally thereof and therefore is sealed thereto and extends downwardly from the top wall 14 at an oblique angle with respect to the vertical and in a downwardly inclined direction, generally away from the end wall 17. It will be seen that the lower portion 3% of the divider wall 29 is formed integrally thereof and extends generally parallel to the bottom 15 and toward the end wall 17 from the upper portion 29a of the divider wall so as to define a flow passage 31 adjacent the bottom 15. It will be noted that the upper and lower portions 2% and 39 of the divider wall cooperate with each other and with the top 14 to define a well 32 in the expansion chamber which generally faces toward the end wall 17 and which utilizes the portion 30 of divider wall 29 at its lower side so as to prevent fluid flow directly downwardly from the well into the passage 31.

A bafiie wall 33 is disposed in the heating chamber 18 in parallel and spaced relation with the upper portion 2% of the divider wall. The battle wall 33 also extends between the front and rear walls 12 and 13 of the housing and is formed integrally thereof so as to be sealed therewith. The baffie wall 33 also is formed integrally of bottom 15 and extends obliquely upwardly therefrom parallel to the divider wall 29. It will be seen that the baffle wall 33 and the divider wall 29 cooperatively define a flow passage 34 communicating between the flow passage 31 and the upper portion of the heating chamber 13. It will also be seen that the batfie wall 33 obstructs direct horizontal flow from the heating chamber 18 into the passage 31. v

' It will be seen that a number of posts 35 are cast integrally with the general casting of housing 11 so as to maintain the front and rear walls in their proper spacing.

The conductors 23 and apparatus 25 are confined in an electrical junction box 36 attached as .by screws 37 to the end of the housing 11. g

It will be seen that the top 14 of housing 11 is provided with an air outlet 33 which is-normally closed by the end of a screw-type valve element 39 which is threadably carried in the plug 4-0 which is threaded into the top 14 of the housing. An air passage 411 communicates between the outlet 38 and the exterior of the housing 11. By loosening the screw-type valve 39 upwardly, the opening 38 will pass air or gas therethrough to bleed any accumulated gas in the heating chamber 18, thereby assuring that the liquid fills the entire chamber. Mere-tightening of the screw downwardly will cause the lower end thereof to seat therearound the periphery of the outlet opening 33 and prevent further escapeof the liquid.

The heating elements 22 are supplied with power from the electric bus wires 42 and 43 and are controlled by control switches 44 which may be operated in any suitable manner such as a control device 45 and a thermostatic switch 4% which are connected inseries and are supplied with power from a low voltage power source such as transformer T. As indicated in the circuit diagram, FIG.

'5, additional units may be attached in parallel to those shown.

In the use and operation of the present invention, the electric power is supplied to the heating element 22 which heats the liquid L in the heating chamber 18 and the heat is transmitted through the conductive housing 11 to the front face thereof and also to the fins Zti. Heat is radiated from the housing which is preferably formed of cast iron into the space to be heated. It will be seen that the heating unit it?) is ordinarily mounted at the floor of a room adjacent the sidewall, approximately in the normal location of a baseboard. The unit is entirely self-contained and requires only attachment to the source of electric power in the installation procedure.

During transport and installation of the unit 16, it will be understood that the unit may be turned at various angles and tilted in various manners, depending on the manner in which the unit is handled. Regardless of how the unit is manipulated or tilted during transport or installation, the gas contained in the space 1% of the expansion will remain in the expansion chamber. In the event that the endwall 17 is raised to an elevation substantially above that of endwall 16, the gas will, of course, be confined in the expansion chamber. In the event that the unit is tilted so as to elevate the endwall 16 over the endwall 17, the gas in the unfilled space 19a of the expansion will be confined therein by the divider wall 29 and possibly by the lower portion 36 thereof, depending upon the angle of tilting. In any event, the gas in the unfilled space will be retained in the well 32 so as to be prevented from entering the heating chamber 18. The baffle wall 33 is further assurance of retention of the gas in the expansion chamber in the event that there is inverting and random tilting and manipulation of the unit during transport and installation. It will be seen that the warmest portion of the liquid L in the housing 11 is maintained in endwise spaced relation with respect to the expansion chamber 19 and that no direct currents may be set up from the area of the heating element 22 and into the expansion chamber. The temperatures within the housing llll are maintained at a reasonable level so as to prevent the possibility of any formation of steam. It has been found most practical to maintain the temperatures of the liquid below approximately 190 degrees F. when the liquid is Water. It should be understood that various other liquids might be' employed in the housing, and such liquids may well contain anti-freeze compounds or solutions such as ethylene glycol.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention vwhich consists of the matter shown and described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A space heating unit,

comprising an elongate and generally horizontally oriented heat-conductive and sealed hollow housing having upright front and rear walls and also a top and bottom, said housing having adjacent heating and expansion chambers therein,

a divider wall within said housing and separating said chambers from each other, said divider wall extending between said front and rear walls and downwardly from said top into spaced relation with said 4 bottom to permit liquid flow adjacent the bottom and between said heating and expansion chambers,

a quantity of liquid filling said heating chamber and also partly filling said expansion chamber,

a quantity of gas above the liquid in said expansion chamber,

and an electric heating element immersed in said heating chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and spaced from said divider wall, said heating element having means mounted on the housing and supplying electrical power from the exterior thereof,

whereby to produce heating without developing'excessive pressures within the housing.

2. A space heating unit,

comprising an elongate and generally horizontally oriented, heat-conductive and sealed hollow housing having upright front and rear walls and also a top and bottom, said housing having adjacent heating and expansion chambers therein,

a divider wall within said housing and separating said chambers from each other, said divider wall extending between said front and rear walls and having an upper portion extending downwardly from said top into spaced relation with the bottom of the housing, said divider wall also having a lower portion connected to said upper portion and extending generally longitudinally of the elongate housing and into the expansion chamber to define a flow passage along said bottom, said lower portion cooperating with said upper portion and top to entrap' gas when the housing is tilted,

a quantity of liquid filling said heating chamber and also partly filling said expansion chamber,

a quantity of gas above the liquid in said expansion chamber,

7 controllable means connected with said heating chamher for relieving fluid pressure therein,

an electric heating element immersed in said heating chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and spaced longitudinally along the housing from said divider wall, said heating element having means mounted on the housing and supplying electrical power from the exterior thereof,

whereby to limit the escape of said gas from the expansion. chamber regardless of tilting and manipulation of the housing during transport and installation thereof to produce heating without excessive fluid pressures within the housing.

3. A space heating unit,

comprising an elongate and generally horizontally oriented heat-conductive and sealed hollow housing having upright front and rear walls and also having a top and bottom, said housing having adjacent heating and expansion chambers therein,

a divider wall within said housing and separating said chambers from each other,'said divider wall extending between said front and rear walls and having an upper portion extending downwardly from said top and said divider wall also having a lower portion in spaced relation with said bottom to permit liquid flow between said heating and expansion chambers,

a quantity of liquid filling said heating chamber and also partly filling said expansion chamber,

a quantity of gas above the liquid in said expansion chamber,

an electric heating element immersed in said heating chamber adjacent the bottom thereof, said heating element having means mounted on the housing and supplying electrical power from the exterior thereof,

and a baffle wall in the heating chamber and in juxtaposed and spaced relation with the divider wall to permit flow therebetween, said bafile wall extending upwardly from said bottom and between said divider wall and the heating element, said baflle wall obstructing generally horizontal fluid flow to the ex a divider wall within said housing and separating said i.

chambers from each other, said divider wall extending between said front and rear walls and having an upper portion extending downwardly from said top into spaced relation with the bottom of the housing, said divider wall also having a lower portion connected to said upper portion and extending generally longitudinally of the elongate housing and into the expansion chamber to define a flow passage along said botrom, said lower portion cooperating with said upper portion and top to entrap gas when the housing is tilted,

a quantity of liquid filling said heating chamber and also partly filling said expansion chamber,

a quantity of gas above the liquid in said expansion chamber,

means for controlling pressure in said heating chamber,

an electric element immersed in said heating chamber adjacent said bottom and having means mounted on the housing and supplying electrical energy from the exterior thereof,

and a bafile Wall in the heating chamber and in juxtaposed and spaced relation with the divider wall to permit fluid flow therebetween, said bafile wall extending upwardly from said bottom between the divider Wall and said heating element and obstructing generally horizontal fiuid flow to the expansion chamber, and said 'bafile wall having an upper portion in spaced relation with said top and at an elevated position with respect to the lower portion of said divider wall,

whereby to prevent emptying of the gas from the expansion chamber during manipulation of the housing during transport and installation and thereby produce heating without developing excessive pressures within the housing.

5. A space heating unit,

comprising an elongate and generally horizontally oriented heat-conductive and sealed housing having a substantially uniform shape along the length thereof, said housing having a top and bottom and also having a heating chamber and an expansion chamber therein, said heating and expansion chambers being adjacent each other along the length of the housing,

means within said housing and separating said chambers from each other and defining a flow passage between said chambers providing fluid flow communication therebetween, said flow passage interconnecting the upper portion of said heating chamber with the lower portion of said expansion chamber and permitting fluid flow substantially vertically there between, said means obstructing substantially horizontal fluid flow between the upper portions of said adjacent chambers and also obstructing substantially horizontal fluid flow directly between the lower portions of said adjacent chambers,

a quantity of liquid filling said heating chamber and also partly filling said expansion chamber,

a quantity of gas above the liquid in said expansion chamber, 7

and an electric heating element immersed in said heating chamber adjacent the bottom thereof, said heating element having means mounted on the housing and supplying electrical power from the exterior thereof,

whereby to prevent escape of said gas from the expansion chamber during normal handling during transport and installation and whereby to produce heating Without developing excessive pressures within the housing,

6. A space heating unit,

comprising an elongate and generally horizontally oriented heat-conductive and sealed hollow housing having a substantially uniform shape along the length thereof and also having a top and bottom, said housing having a heating chamber and also having an expansion chamber therein and said chambers being disposed adjacent each other lengthwise along the housing,

fluid flow guiding and confining means within said housing and separating said chambers from each other, said means defining a flow passage between the top of said heating chamber and the bottom of said expansion chamber and obstructing substantially horizontal fluid fiow directly between the adjacent tops of said heating and expansion chambers and also obstructing substantially horizontal fluid fiow directly between the bottoms of said adjacent heating and expansion chambers, said means also defining a fluid-confining well Within said expansion chamber and having an open side facing endwise away from the heating chamber and said well also having a lower side obstructing fluid flow directly downwardly toward said bottom,

a quantity of liquid filling said heating chamber and also partly filling said expansion chamber,

a quantity of gas above the liquid in said expansion chamber,

and an electric heating element immersed in said heating chamber adjacent the bottom thereof, said heating element having means mounted on the housing and supplying electrical power from the exterior thereof,

whereby to entrap gas in the expansion chamber and confine gas therein during tilting and other manipulation of the housing during transport and installation, and to thereby produce heating without developing excessive pressures within the housing.

7. A space heating unit,

comprising an elongate and generally horizontally oriented heat-conductive hollow housing having upright front and rear walls and a top and bottom, said housing having a heating chamber and an expansion chamber therein, said chambers being adjacent each other along the length of the housing,

a divider wall within said housing and separating said chambers from each other, said divider wall extending between said front and rear Walls and being sealed thereto, said divider wall having an upper portion sealed to said top and extending downwardly and obliquely toward said heating chamber, said divider wall also having a lower portion connected to said upper portion and extending generally longitudinally of the elongate housing and into the expansion chamber to define a flow passage along the bottom and provide fluid flow communication between the lower portion of the expansion chamber and said heating chamber,

a quantity of liquid filling said heating chamber and also partly filling said expansion chamber,

a quantity of gas above the liquid in said expansion chamber,

controllable means at the top of said heating chamber and bleeding off any accumulated gas,

and an electric heating element immersed wholly in said heating chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and spaced longitudinally along the housing from said divider Wall, said heating element having means mounted on the housing and supplying electrical power from the exterior thereof,

whereby to limit the escape of gas from said expansion chamber regardless of tilting and manipulation of the housing during transport and installation thereof and to produce heating without excessive fluid pressures within the housing.

8. A space heating unit,

comprising an elongate and generally horizontally oriented heat-conductive hollow housing having upright front and rear walls and a top and bottom, said housing having a heating chamber and an expansion chamber therein, said chambers being adjacent each other along the length of the housing,

' a divider Wall within said housing and separating said chambers from each other, said divider wall extending between said front and rear walls and being sealed thereto, said divider wall having an .upper portion sealed to said top and extending downwardly and obliquely toward said heating chamber, said divider wall also having a lower portion connected to said upper portion and extending generally longitudinally of the elongate housingand into the expansionehamber to define a flow passage along the bottom and provide fluid flow communication between the lower portion of the expansion chamber and said heating chamber,

a quantity of liquid filling said heating chamber and also partly filling said expansion chamber,

a quantity of gas above the liquid in said expansion chamber,

controllable means at the top of said heating chamber and bleeding ofi any accumulated gas,

an electric heating element immersed wholly in said heating chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and spaced longitudinally along the housing from said divider wall, said heating element having means mounted on the housing and supplying electrical power from the exterior thereof,

a bafile wall disposed between said heating element and said divider wall and being sealed to and extending between said front and rear walls, said baffie wall also being sealed to the bottom and extending obliquely upwardly substantially parallel with the upper portion of said divider wall, said baffle wall having an upper portion disposed at an elevated position with respect to the lower portion of said divider wall,

whereby to cooperate with said divider wall in entrapping gas in the expansion chamber and in said passage during tilting and other manipulation of the housing during transport and installation and thereby produce heating without excessive pressures within the housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain July 3, 1936 

1. A SPACE HEATING UNIT, COMPRISING AN ELONGATE AND GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY ORIENTED HEAT-CONDUCTIVE AND SEALED HOLLOW HOUSING HAVING UPRIGHT FRONT AND REAR WALLS AND ALSO A TOP AND BOTTOM, SAID HOUSING HAVING ADJACENT HEATING AND EXPANDION CHAMBERS THEREIN, A DIVIDER WALL WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND SEPARATING SAID CHAMBERS FROM EACH OTHER, SAID DIVIDER WALL EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID FRONT AND REAR WALLS AND DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID TOP INTO SPACED RELATION WITH SAID BOTTOM TO PERMIT LIQUID FLOW ADJACENT THE BOTTOM AND BETWEEN SAID HEATING AND EXPANSION CHAMBERS, A QUANTITY OF LIQUID FILLING SAID HEATING CHAMBER AND ALSO PARTLY FILLING SAID EXPANSION CHAMBER, A QUANTITY OF GAS ABOVE, THE LIQUID IN SAID EXPANSION CHAMBER, AND AN ELECTRIC HEATING ELEMENT IMMERSED IN SAID HEATING CHAMBER ADJACENT THE BOTTOM THEREOF AND SPACED FROM SAID DIVIDER WALL, SAID HEATING ELEMENT HAVING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE HOUSING AND SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL POWER FROM THE EXTERIOR THEREOF, WHEREBY TO PRODUCE HEATING WITHOUT DEVELOPING EXCESSIVE PRESSURES WITHIN THE HOUSING. 